Reeling device



Oct. 11, 1960 B. s. ROBSON ETAL 2,955,771

REELING DEVICE Filed April 21, 1958 Inventor United States Patent REELlNG DEVICE Briton Selby Robson, Huyton .Quarry, near Liverpool,

and Ernest Snow, Liverpool, England, assignors to British Insulated Callenders Cables Limited, London,

' England, a company of Great Britain This invention relates to devices for reeling wires, threads, cords or other filamentary bodies of intermediate lengths all hereinafter included, Where the context permits, in the term wire.

In connection with the bent of wire it is often convenient to arrange for the wire as it leaves the apparatus in which it is treated, for example a Wire'enamelling machine or a cotton covering machine or a tinning machine, to be wound on a reel or spool which when fully loaded is replaced by an empty spool. The wire-treating machine may be capable of dealing with a range of sizes of wire but it is not always desirable or practicable to wind all sizes of wire on the same size of reel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel form of reeling device which permits of either small sized reels or large sized reels being mounted and driven at a speed appropriate to the mounted reel.

In accordance with our invention we provide a reeling device which comprises two co-axial rotatably supported reel spindles, one for receiving larger sizes of reels than the other. The former is of tubular form and is axially slidable within limits relative to the inner spindle. At one end the inner spindle overhangs its support. In one extreme position of the outer spindle relative to the inner spindle, the outer spindle surrounds the overhanging end of the inner spindle and is adapted to be driven at a speed appropriate to the larger sizes of reels which it is adapted to receive. In the other extreme position of the outer spindle relative to the inner spindle, the overhanging end of the inner spindle is exposed and the spindle is adapted to be driven at a higher speed appropriate to the smaller sizes of bobbin which the exposed end of the spindle is adapted to receive.

A reel may be held on the outer spindle when in the first extreme position by clamping it between a collar on the rear end of the overhanging part of the spindle and a nut on the screwed front end of that part. Where, as is preferred, the inner spindle is axially fixed and the outer spindle is slidable, this collar is locked to the outer spindle in such a manner that it can be released to permit the spindle to be moved axially to expose the inner spindle. It may carry means for engaging the adjacent flange of a reel on the outer spindle in a positive manner to give a positive drive to the reel. When the inner spindle is exposed the end face of the'overhanging part of the outer spindle may serve as an abutment for the reel supported on the inner spindle. This reel may be driven and retained by frictional engagement with one or more balloo'n or barrel springs normally projecting above the peripheral surface of a part of the overhanging end of the inner spindle. 1

The inner and outer spindles may be relatively rotatable and each be driven independently of the other. Alternatively, the inner and outer spindles may be constrained to rotate together. In the latter case axial movement of one spindle relative to the other from one extreme relative position to the other may automatically eifect a change in the speed at which they are both driven. To.

"ice

this end the axially movable spindle may carry a pair of gear wheels of different diameter one of which engages a Wheel on a driven shaft when the spindle is in one extreme, axial position and the other engages a second wheel on the same shaft when the spindle is in the other extreme relative position.

A reeling device having the improved form will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a plane through the reeling axis; and

Figure 2 is a View of the device as seen in the'direction of the arrow 11 in Figure 1.

The reeling device comprises two co-axial rotatably supported reel spindles 1 and 2. The outer spindle 1 is for receiving larger sizes of reels than the inner spindle 2. The outer spindle 1 is of tubular form and is axially slidable within limits relative to the inner spindle 2. The two spindles are supported in bearings 3 and 4 carried by two parallel end walls 5 and 6 of a frame formed in two detachable parts. One of the parts is constituted by one of the end Walls, termed the front end wall 5, and the other part comprises the other end wall, referred to as the rear end wall 6 and a pair of arms 7 and 8 extending parallel to one another. The arms 7 and 8 are formed at diametrically opposite ends of the rear end wall 6, with which they constitute a U-shaped bracket, and are :formed at their ends With feet 9 and 10. The bracket, formed by the parts 6, 7 and 8 is fixed to the front end waH 5 by means of screw-pins 11 passing through the feet 9 and 10. The outer spindle 1 is axially slidable on the inner spindle 2 whose rear end is journalled in the bearing 4 housed in the rear end wall 6. The bearing 4 is held in place by an annular cover plate 12. The spindle 2 is held against axial movement in either direction by forming it with a collar 13 on the forward side of the bearing 4 and applying a nut 14 to the reduced rear end of the spindle. As indicated in Figure l the inner spindle over-hangs its support, that is it projects forwardly beyond the front end wall 5. A feather key 15 is provided on the inner spindle 2 to engage in a keyway i16 in the bore of the outer spindle 1 which is rotatably supported for axial sliding movement in the bearing '3 in the front end wall 5. The outer spindle 1 also overhangs this front bearing 3, but by a variable amount whereas the inner spindle overhangs by a fixed v amount.

v a is a sleeve 19 which is a close sliding fit on the outer spindle and which is rotatable within the bearing. At its rear end the sleeve 19 is provided with a circa-rm ferential flange having recesses in its radial rear face to receive, when the outer spindle 1 is in the extreme forward position shown in Figure l, a pin 20 projecting from the front face of the spur wheel 17. 'I'hus, when the outer spindle is in this position, the sleeve 19 and the spur wheel 17 are positively coupled together. The forward end of the sleeve 19 overhangs the bearing 3 and has attached to it an annular flange 21 which is located in a recess in the front face of the front end wall 5. The front face of the flange 21 carries an axially projecting pin 22 for engaging the adjacent flange of a reel positioned on the outer spindle 1. The location of the outer spindle 1 in its operative position is effected by the engagement of a radially extending detent 23 mounted for sliding movement in the flange 21 and pressed radially inward bya compression spring 24. The inner end of the detent 23 passes through the sleeve 19 and enters a circumferential groove 25 in the outer spindle 1. In

, 3 this position the outer spindle 1 is driven through its spur wheel 17 by a pinion 26 on adriven lay shaft 27 extending parallel to the spindles 1 and 2 and supported in beani'ngs28j and 29 in the front and rear end walls,

7 and 6 respectively, ofthe frame. I I

., 'In this position the forward end of the outer spindle 1 extends 'beyond,so as to complete cover, the extreme forward 'end 30 of the inner spindle 2. A nut 31 is screwed on to the end of the outer spindle "-1 to locate a larger size of reel thereon while being driven 'for'the purpose of reeling wire'th'ereom' a The outer spindle 1 can bemoved into its other extreme position, indicated in broken line "in Figure 1, by lifting the detent 23, that is moving the det'ent radially out of engagement with the groove 25, against the pressure of the spring 24. To facilitate this, a projection 32 on the side of the detent 23 is accessible in a radial slot 33 in the front face of the flange -21. With the detent 23 retracted, the outer spindle 1 can 'bemoved axially and rearwardly on the inner spindle until the detent 23 engages a second circumferential groove 34in and to-' wards the forward end of" the outer spindle. The extreine end of the outer spindle 1 is now 'in the position indicated by the broken line 36 in Figure 1, wi-th the inner spindle projecting forwardly beyond thatposition.

This movement of the outerspindle 1 has brought the spur wheel 17 out of engagement with thepinion 26 on the forward end of the lay shaft 27, and has brought the pinion 18 on the rear end of the outer spindle 1 into engagement with a spur wheel 37 on the rearend of the lay shaft; The lay shaft 27 overhangs its rear bearing 29 and carries a spur wheel 38 through which the drive to the shaft and spindles is obtained. 7 l

When the forward end of the inner spindle 2 is exposed, by the rearward retraction of the outer spindle 1 the inner spindle is adapted to receive a smaller size of reel. Such a reel is frictionally driven by the inner spindle. This frictional engagement is provided by leaf springs {located in a recess or recesses 39 in the surface of the inner spindle which,,being depressed when the reel is moved axially on to the inner spindle, exert radial pressure against the inner wall of the'hollow spindle shaft. 7 There may also be frictional engagement between one flange of the small reel and the forward end of the outer spindle 1 to provide part of the drive to the reel.

Preferably the extent of the axial movement of the outer spindle is such as to provide that the mid-position of the axial length of areel filled on the inner spindle 2 approximately coincides with that of af'reel filled on the outer spindle 1. This facilitates adjustment of a traversing guide for wire runnnig on to the reel, since it only end replaced without stopping the remaining heads of the machine. a

What we claim as our invention is: e l. A wire-reeling mechanism comprising a hollow r t-atable spindle and, and coaxial with the hollow spindle, a smaller diamet er rotatable spindle, a support first position, the relation'between theiengths of the involves reducing the amplitude of traverse when the reel of one size is replaced by a reel of the other size.

This arrangement provides a compact dual spindle unit that may be incorporated with a number of other units '(for example twelve in all) which may be grouped to form a compact multiple head reeling machine especially suitable for use with wire enamelling machines.

For instance, as in the unit illustrated, each'head may be driven independently by its own torque motor 40 through a gear train 41, 42, to the spur wheel 38 on the rear end of the lay shaft 27. Alternatively all the heads of multiple head machine may be driven through a corresponding number of slipping couplings by a single :motor.

Each dual spindle head is preferably mounted in the spindles being such, that in the first position one end of the hollow spindle will overhang ,the support and will surround the overhanging end of the smaller spindle and in the second position the overhanging end of the smaller spindle will'be ex posed to receive a reel, means for rotating the spindles and said means including shiftable means to rotate said'spindles faster in the second position than in the first position. 7 i

2. A .wire reeling mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which the overhanging end of the hollow spindle is formed with an end face to serve as an abutment to axially locate a reel supported on the smaller spindle. V 3. A wire-reeling mechanism comprising ahollow rotat-able spindle and, within and coaxial with the hollow spindle, a smaller diameter rotatable spindle, a support for the spindles and one end of the smaller spindle overhanging'the support, the support providing for axial sliding movement of one of the spindles relative to the other spindle between a first position and asecond position axially displaced from the first position, therelation between the lengths of the spindles being such that in the first position one 'end of the hollow spindle will overhang the support to surround the overhanging end of the smaller spindle and in the "second position the overhanging end of the smaller spindle will be'exp'os'ed to receive a reel, means for rotating the spindles and said means including shiftable means to rotate said spindles faster in the second position than in the first position, a collar. on and spaced from the overhanging end of the hollow spindle and aclamp removably mounted on the extremity of this overhanging end for holding a reel on the hollow spindle. w

4. A wire-reeling mechanism comprisniga hollow rotatable spindle and, within and co -ax-ial withfthe hollow spindle, a smaller diameter spindle, a support for the spindles, means for holding the smallerspindle against axial movement in the support, one end of the smaller spindle overhanging the support and the support providing for t-herhollow spindle to move axially in'the support and on the smaller spindle between alfirst position and a second position axially displaced from the first position, the relation between the lengths of the spindles being such that in the first, POsitiQnone-end of the hollow spindle; will overhang the support and will surround the overhanging end of the inner-spindle and inithe; second.

position the overhanging end of the smallerispindle will be exposed to receive a resel means i for rotating the spindles and said means including shiftable means to rotate said spindles faster in the seeond position than in the first position, a collarconcentrie with the hollow spindle and means for holding the collar against movement in thesupport and releasable'meansfor locking the hollow spindle tothe collar in t he first and second position and for permitting axial movement ofthe hollow spindle in the collar from each to thepther of said firstiand second positions. l V A 5s A wire reelingfmechanism as claimed in claim' 6, in which the co'llar is provided with means for-making positive driving engagement with an adjacent flange of a reelonthe hollowspindle. V p V W V 6. A wire-reelingmeehanism comprising a hollow rotatable spindle and, within and co-axial with the hollow spindle, a smaller diameter spindle, a support for the spindles, means for holding the smaller spindle against axial movement in the support, one end of the smaller spindle overhanging the support and the support providing for the hollow spindle to move axially in the support and on the smaller spindle between a first position and a second position axially displaced from the first position, the relation between the lengths of the spindles being such that in the first posit-ion one end of the hollow spindle will overhang the support and will surround the overhanging end of the inner spindle and in the second position the overhanging end of the smaller spindle will be exposed to receive a reel, means for rotating the spindles and said means including shiftable means to rotate said spindles faster in the second position than in the first position, and radially depressible springs on the peripheral surface of the smaller spindle to permit axial movement of a reel on to and oil the smaller spindle, to retain such a reel on the smaller spindle and to provide a driving connection between the spindle and such a reel.

7. A wirereeling mechanism comprising a hollow rotatable spindle and, within and co-axial with the hollow spindle, a smaller diameter rotatable spindle, a support for the spindles, means for holding the smaller spindle against axial movement in the support, one end of the smaller spindle overhanging the support and the support providing for the hollow spindle to move axially in the support and on the smaller spindle between a first position and a second position axially displaced from the first position, the relation between the lengths of the spindles being such that in the first position one end of the hollow spindle will overhang the support and will surround the overhanging end of the smaller spindle and in the second position the overhanging end of the smaller spindle will be exposed to receive a reel, means for mechanically coupling the spindles to constrain the spindles to be rotatable as a unit, driving means for rotating the spindles, a two-speed gear included in said driving means and a speed-changing connection between said two-speed gear and the hollow spindle to provide for the speed of rotation of the spindles to be increased by axial movement of the hollow spindle from the first to the second position and to be decreased by axial movement of the hollow spindle from the second position to the first position.

8. A Wire-reeling mechanism comprising a hollow rotatable spindle and, Within and co-axial with the hollow spindle, a smaller diameter rotatable spindle, a support for the spindles, means for holding the smaller spindle against axial movement in the support, one end of the smaller spindle overhanging the support and the support providing for the hollow spindle to move axially in the support and on the smaller spindle between a first position and a second position axially displaced from the first position, the relation between the lengths of the spindles being such that in the first position one end of the hollow spindle will overhang the support and will surround the overhanging end of the smaller spindle and in the second position the overhanging end of the smaller spindle will be exposed to receive a reel, means for mechanically coupling the spindles to constrain the spindles to be rotatahle as a unit, driving means for rota-ting the spindles, said driving means including two difierent diameter gear Wheels on the hollow spindle and a driving shaft carrying two different diameter gear wheels, the arrangement being such that one gear Wheel on the hollow spindle engages a gear wheel on the driving shaft when the hollow spindle is in the first position and the other gear wheels on the hollow shaft and driving shaft are in engagement when the hollow shaft is in the second position, and the relative sizes of the gear wheels are such that the speed of rotation of the spindles is greatest when the hollow spindle is in the second position.

9. A wire reeling mechanism comprising a hollow rotatable spindle and, within and co-axial with the hollow spindle, a smaller diameter rotatable spindle, a support for the spindles, means for holding the smaller spindle against axial movement in the support, one end of the smaller spindle overhanging the support and the support providing for the hollow spindle to move axially in the support and on the smaller spindle between a first position and a second position axially displaced from the first position, the relations between the lengths of the spindles being such that in the first position of the hollow spindle one end of the hollow spindle will overhang the support and Will surround the overhanging end of the smaller spindle and in the second position of the hollow spindle the overhanging end of the smaller spindle will be exposed to receive a reel, means for rotating the spindles and said means including shiftable means for driving the inner spindle at a speed of rotation that is faster in the second position of the hollow spindle than the speed of rotation of the hollow spindle in the first position thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,534,951 C'argill Dec. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 2,955 77l October 11, 1960 Briton Selby Robson et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3 line 5i for runnnig read running column 4, line 46 for "comprisnig? read comprising line 70, for the claim reference numeral "6" read 4 Signed and sealed this 11th day of April 1961.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST SWIDER YH.. ARTHUR\N.CROCKER Attesting Oflicer ACting Commissioner of Patents 

